SURROGATE

 I feel there is something unexplored about woman that only a woman can explore. 

Georgia O'Keeffe

Although humanity has tried to resolve the issue of sexual taboos during the last century, we are aware that sexuality in today's society is still on thin ice and serves as a means of shaking social, political and religious norms of nowdays ''liberal'' world. In today's society of mobility, individualism and partly loose authority (religion, politics, law) we realize that a false and distorted neo-Victorian morality leads to the collective frustration, and thus to the stigmatization of something what people of ancient civilizations held worthy of respect and worship .

Trough series of photographs, turned into spatial installation "Surrogate", Mia Orsag presents female sexuality from the perspective of the female mind, setting it as the subject of attention and lust, completely devoid of vulgarity. Referring to the Vagina Monologues ( E. Ensler), Orsag is pointing out the problem of women's perception of the vagina as an replacement - surrogates, caused by living within the norms that dictate most of society and religion. Media of photography served to artist as a method of detachment from subjective notions. Artist uses cotton to present security, softness and warmth, associated to concept of the vagina. In a subtle way Orsag's works interacts with observers, questioning their perception and understanding of what is not directly visible at first glance. Additionally, the natural color of the material emphasizes the impression of purity from any lascivious connotations.

In his book Yoni: Holy symbol of female creative power, Rufus C. Camphausen historically researches women deeply aware of their sexuality, devoid of shame regarding their own body and sexuality, completely respected by the community at the time. Orsag indicates on such a perception of women themselves trough their intimistic access and understanding of the vagina as something warm, as the source of creation, sexuality and sexual pleasure.

Surrogate points out the importance of women's perspective in terms of percepcion and redefinition of sexuality and taboos, especially those who are directly or indirectly related to woman.

Sara Čičić Duvnjak

2010 - 2014 

photography, plexiglass
4 boards - 80 x 80 cm each